Union deserts custodians during public hearning

TINLEY PARK, IL — A public hearing held late last week to discuss the option of outsourcing custodial services in Kirby School District 140 was unattended by union officials representing the custodians, according to the Southtown Star.

The meeting was not well-attended by custodians and only two of the 37 whose jobs are in question were present because many of them were working, the story stated.

Some teachers from Kirby School District 140 say the custodians do more than clean; they escort them safely to their vehicles when it is dark out and act as role models for students, the story noted.

Patricia Dalrymple, an aide at Millennium Elementary School who had a student dress as a custodian for Halloween, said: "They''re just wonderful. They know our kids. That tells you the kind of relationship they have."

Layoff notices, which have gone out to comply with legal requirements to give workers at least 90 days'' notice of a possible layoff, will be executed if a deal can''t be reached before June 30, the story added.